Report questions preparation and impact of De Lijn reform
More than two years ago, Flemish public transport operator De Lijn launched what it described as the largest reform in its history. But a new report by the Vervoersautoriteit (Transport Authority), which coordinates public transport policy in Flanders, is highly critical of the changes.
Introduced in January 2024, De Lijn’s Basic Accessibility plan abolished 3,247 bus stops, reorganised routes based on demand and introduced pre-booked buses on less frequented lines. The reform was intended to improve efficiency and traffic flow.
However, the Vervoersautoriteit concludes that the changes were inadequately prepared. According to the report, the 15 transport regions created under the new model lack sufficient insight into budgets and do not have real decision-making power. They have also been sidelined in the past, for example when De Lijn decided to cut additional lines.
Complaints spike
Passenger satisfaction stood at 77 per cent in 2024, with safety, driver friendliness and travel information receiving the highest scores. At the same time, the Flemish Ombudsman Service recorded a 50 per cent increase in complaints, which the report links to the reform. The majority of grievances were related to line availability and punctuality problems.
De Lijn's financial picture has also deteriorated. Costs rose in the post-pandemic period, while fares remained unchanged. Inflation and a decision under former Mobility minister Lydia Peeters to skip two planned indexations contributed to the pressure on finances.
De Lijn has since adjusted its pricing. In 2025, ticket prices increased by an average of 18 per cent. Earlier this year, fares rose by a further 4.2 per cent on average. The company also raised fines for fare evasion late last year.
Passenger numbers grow
Overall passenger numbers grew by 4.5 per cent in 2024 to 373 million. De Lijn’s management cites this as evidence that the reform is delivering results. The Vervoersautoriteit takes a more cautious view, noting that efficiency targets have largely not been met and that revised counting methods and the post-Covid recovery make it difficult to assess whether the reform itself drove passenger growth.
In a response, De Lijn notes that the report only covers the year 2024, when the reform had not yet been fully rolled out. "De Lijn will continue to work in the coming months with the transport regions to develop the best possible service offering in accordance with the principles of Basic Accessibility," it said.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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